The Cavaliers Should Learn From The Nuggets, Patience Pays Off
In Mike Malone's first season with the Denver Nuggets in 2015-2016, the team went 33-49. He then led the team to four straight top-two seeds in the Western Conference with just one Conference Finals appearance.
Yet, the organization never fired him.
Jamal Murray broke out in the NBA Bubble in 2020 averaging 26.5 PPG while shooting 50 percent from the field, 6.6 AST, and 4.8 rebounds. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL on April 12, 2021, and missed the entire 2021-2022 season. He finally made his return to the floor 539 days later.
The team never gave up on Murray, traded him away, or brought in a replacement. They stuck with their guy.
Nikola Jokic was a late second-round pick in the 2014 Draft. He averaged just 10.0 points in his first season and was alright on defense in his first season. However, the team helped develop him into an all-around superstar, is now a Finals MVP, and is creeping his way into "all-time great" conversations.
Okay, what does all of this have to do with the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Well, there's been a lot of chatter about Cleveland's future following their disappointing loss to the New York Knicks in last year's playoffs.
Fans have called for the team to move on from J.B. Bickerstaff as their head coach, and NBA personalities have suggested trading cornerstones such as Jarrett Allen and even Darius Garland.
But there are lessons to learn from around the league, specifically from the Nuggets. The Cavs are in a similar position as Denver was just four or five years ago. They're a budding contender with holes to fill.
Mar 4, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; The Cleveland Cavaliers celebrate in the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The two routes to take are blowing the whole thing up for new star players hoping they'll stick or allowing your team and organization to develop together and supplement holes where needed.
The Nuggets took that second option and stuck by their core, including the head coach. Look where they are no2, on top of the world as NBA Finals Champions.
Other teams such as the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors, and Philadelphia 76ers have fired their leader or mixed and matched star players and are still waiting for glory.
Yes, there will be moves and trades in Cavs' future. But the team and front office should learn from the Nuggets that development as a team should be the priority in order to have a team that will continue to contend.
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